Author: gleanernewspaper

President Julius Maada Bio and Commissioner General Jeneba Bangura The National Revenue Authority (NRA) is under intense scrutiny as the Ministry of Finance demands increased revenue collection to fund the government’s lavish spending. Recent meetings have highlighted President Julius Maada Bio’s dissatisfaction with the NRA’s ability to generate revenue, which is critical for meeting the government’s rising wage bill and other excessive spending. During a recent meeting at the Customs Department, Finance Minister Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura delivered a stern message on President Bio’s behalf, expressing frustration with the NRA’s failure to meet revenue targets. He emphasised that the country’s…

By Zainab Sunkary KoromaIn the aftermath of Sierra Leone’s brutal 11-year civil war, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was established under the Lome Peace Accord to promote healing and reconciliation. Among its many recommendations was a call for press freedom, enshrined in Section 75 of Volume 2, Chapter 3 of the 2004 TRC report. The report emphasized that freedom of expression is the lifeblood of democracy and that restrictions on it represent an abysmal state of affairs. Two decades later, Sierra Leone’s press freedom landscape remains a mixed bag. While the country’s 1991 Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, and international…

 Africell Sierra Leone has officially kicked off its much-anticipated annual Ramadan initiative, the ‘Na Yu Get’ show, which will reward subscribers with a total of 500,000 new Leones in cash prizes throughout the holy month. The official launch event took place at Africell’s headquarters located at 1 Pivot Street, Wilberforce Village, Freetown, where company representatives expressed their commitment to honouring customers and fostering the spirit of Ramadan. During the launch, Abdul Karim Sesay, the Media Manager of Africell Sierra Leone, emphasized that the ‘Na Yu Get’ show is part of the company’s ongoing tradition to infuse excitement and educational content…

In a remarkable achievement for Sierra Leone, Andrew Bob Johnny, the nation’s Statistician-General, has been unanimously elected as the Rapporteur of the United Nations Statistical Commission (UNSC) for a two-year term. This esteemed position places Mr. Johnny among the Bureau members of the UNSC, where he will bear the important responsibility of documenting, summarizing, and reporting on the discussions and decisions made during the commission’s sessions. As Rapporteur, Mr. Johnny will oversee the reporting on critical issues, proposed standards, and agreed-upon actions related to international statistical best practices for the years 2024 and 2025. This role is typically entrusted to…

Chief Minister Dr David Moinina Sengeh convened a crucial meeting at State House with key stakeholders, including Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Henry Musa Kpaka, and Acting Director-General of the Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute (SLARI), Dr Conteh. The primary agenda was to discuss the implementation of the SLARI Act 2023 and address the urgent concerns of research personnel within the institute. During the meeting, Dr Conteh, representing SLARI staff, expressed heartfelt appreciation to Dr Sengeh for the opportunity to engage in dialogue and acknowledged the consistent support from Dr Kpaka and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food…

In a pivotal address at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) headquarters in Ibadan, Nigeria, His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone, underscored the multifaceted nature of food security, asserting that it transcends mere agricultural production. He articulated that food security is deeply intertwined with economic growth, public health, climate resilience, and national stability, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to address these interconnected challenges. Speaking before a diverse audience of stakeholders from across Africa, President Bio highlighted the systemic complexity of food security. He called for coordinated actions that span multiple sectors and stressed the…

At a high-profile conference organized by Save the Children and Plan International Denmark, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, passionately advocated for sustained international development aid, particularly urging Denmark to adhere to its commitment of allocating 0.7% of its Gross National Income (GNI) towards global development initiatives. Minister Bah’s appeal came at a critical time when uncertainties surrounding global aid have become increasingly pronounced, especially as major donors like USAID withdraw funding and the UK hints at potential cuts. In front of representatives from all major Danish political parties, Minister Bah emphasised the pressing need for…

Mr. Leslie Ohomele, Associate Director of the King’s Foundation and His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio welcomed Mr. Leslie Ohomele, Associate Director of the King’s Foundation based in the United Kingdom, for a courtesy visit at the State House. This meeting marks a pivotal step in the ongoing collaboration between the Sierra Leonean government and the King’s Foundation, following President Bio’s earlier engagement with the organization during his trip to Scotland. During the visit, Press Secretary Yusuf Keketorma Sandi Esq. outlined the purpose of the meeting, emphasizing that it was a continuation of President…

His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio has arrived at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, marking a watershed moment in his administration’s efforts to promote agricultural development and food security in Sierra Leone. This visit demonstrates President Bio’s commitment to strengthening the agricultural sector through his flagship initiative, “Feed Salone.” Upon his arrival, President Bio was greeted warmly by Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Julius F. Sandy, along with officials from Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and staff members from the Sierra Leone High Commission. The visit was made possible by an invitation from the International Institute…

Recent reports from Nieuwsuur, based on findings by Clingendael and the Global Initiative, have unveiled alarming insights into the escalating crisis of Kush, a potent synthetic drug causing turmoil in Sierra Leone. The Netherlands and the United Kingdom have been identified as the main suppliers of Kush, which has emerged as a significant public health concern in the West African nation. The situation has escalated to such an extent that President Julius Maada Bio declared a state of emergency in April of the previous year. Kush, a relatively new addition to the drug market, is notorious for its affordability and…